Collapsible portable seat and backpack construction

ABSTRACT

A combination folding seat and backpack comprises first and second frame members which are pivotally connected together and may be arranged so that the frame members are connected by a seat panel. Back straps are attached to the frame members and a bag enclosure including cushioning material is also incorporated and mounted on the frame members so that the construction, when in the backpack configuration, enables utilization of one of the bag enclosure as a lumbar support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a portable and foldable seat and backpack construction. The seat may be folded for transport and carrying to a sporting event, for example. The seat includes a back pack feature which facilitates its transportation when folded.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,209 entitled “Collapsible Portable Seat Construction” issued Nov. 30, 2004 discloses a folding seat which is especially useful for the carrying items and for use as a collapsible seat. For example, when engaging in outdoor activities such as picnicking, fishing, hunting or the like, it is often desirable to have a seat upon which an individual may sit during the activity. Pat. No. 6,824,209, incorporated herewith by reference, discloses such a seat construction. In the referenced patent, the seat construction includes two generally trapezoidal frames which are joined together at their end by a flexible fabric material, for example, canvas or the like. The frames may be folded together and hand carry straps may be utilized to effect transport of the seat. The seat may optionally include various storage bags or pouches attached to the lateral sides of the frames forming the seat or to the seat material.

There has remained, however, a desire to provide alternative methods for transporting the seat as well as the bags which may be attached thereto. The present invention provides a solution to this desire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a folding seat or chair which includes a backpack. The combination folding seat or chair and backpack is comprised of first and second generally rectangular or alternatively trapezoidal frames. Each of the frames includes a bottom rung, a top rung and spaced lateral side rungs. The frames are joined together substantially at the respective mid point of their side rungs and are also joined together by a flexible fabric material, for example, connecting the respective top side rungs. A backpack bag is supported on the frames and is connected between the bottom rung of one frame and the top rung of the other frame. Shoulder straps connect the top and bottom rungs and extend over the bag enclosure. The bag enclosure is sized, positioned and configured to provide lumbar support when the seat frames are in the generally folded condition for transport by means of the shoulder straps. The bag enclosure, when in this configuration, provides lumbar or back support as it is engaged against the back of an individual and supported by the shoulder straps. Additional bags or pouches may be attached to the frames. The seat may be unfolded and the back straps will not interfere with the seat in its unfolded position wherein it may be used for its intended purpose as a seat.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved portable folding seat and backpack construction which is rugged, easy to fold between an opened and closed position and which is easily transportable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding seat construction which may be folded for transport by means of backpack straps and wherein a bag enclosure is incorporated in position on frames forming the seat to provide a lumbar support when the seat is utilized for and configured for transport as a backpack.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combination folding seat and backpack construction which is inexpensive and which is very rugged.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the seat and backpack combination in the folded configuration ready for use as a backpack;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed in from the opposite side thereof;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the seat and backpack construction wherein the seat has been configured in the open or seat formed condition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the configuration of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view from the opposite side of the configuration of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the configuration of FIG. 6, as viewed from the opposite side of the seat;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the seat in the open seat configuration illustrating the construction of the lumbar bag feature;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the construction illustrating the lumbar bag construction;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view further illustrating the lumbar bag construction;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view illustrating the cushioning elements which are incorporated with the lumbar bag construction;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the strap configuration depicting the manner in which the straps are affixed to the bottom rung of one of the frame members of the embodiment depicted;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view illustrating the use of the seat and backpack combination as a backpack; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the utilization of the backpack and seat construction depicted in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The combination backpack and seat construction is comprised of first and second generally rectangular frames 20 and 22. The frames may alternatively have a configuration or arrangement as described in the referenced Pat. No. 6,824,209 or the frames may have some other similar configuration wherein the first and second frames 22 and 20 are comprised respectively of a top rung 24, a bottom rung 26 for the second frame 22 and a top rung 28 and a bottom rung 30 for the first frame 20. Each of the frames 20 and 22 further include generally parallel or converging lateral side rungs such as side rungs 34 and 36 of the frame member 22. The frame member 20 includes lateral side rungs 38 and 40. The frame members 20 and 22 are joined at approximately the mid-points 42 of their respective side rungs by a pivot pin so that the frame members may be pivoted one with respect to the other between a backpack configuration such as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and a seat configuration such as illustrated for example, in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. A flexible seat material 50 comprises a seat panel 50 which joins the top or upper rungs 24 and 28 of the second and first frames 22 and 20, for example, as depicted in FIG. 6. Typically the seat panel 50 will be comprised of a canvas material or the like. This enables folding of the frames 20 and 22 between the configurations described. Auxiliary connection straps 54 and 56 may be utilized to connect the bottom rungs 26 and 30 of the frames 22 and 20. The auxiliary connection straps 54 and 56 are of a length wherein the opening of the seat such as depicted in FIG. 6, will be equally maintained by the co-action of the straps 54 and 56 as well as the seat panel 50.

An optional side bag or container 60 may be attached to the side or seat panel 50, as depicted in FIG. 6. A carry bag, such as the bag 62, may be attached to the top rung 28 of the frame member 20, as depicted in FIG. 6.

Of more important inclusion in the embodiment depicted is the attachment of a lumbar support bag 70 to the frames 20, 22 comprising the seat construction. More particularly, the bag 70 includes an upper flap 72 which is connected to the upper rung or top rung 24 of the second frame 22. The opposite end of the bag 70 is attached to the bottom rung 30 of the first frame member 20. The size and position of the bag 70 is somewhat important, in that the bag 70 provides a lumbar or back support when the seat and backpack combination is in the backpack configuration. Thus, backpack shoulder straps 74 and 76 connect from the top rung 24 of the frame member 22 to the bottom rung 30 of the first frame 20. The straps 74 and 76 are adjustable. The structure of the straps 74, 76 and the manner in which they are appropriately connected to the rung, namely bottom rung 30, is more fully illustrated in FIG. 12, for example. Thus, a sectional view is depicted showing strap 76 attached to the attachment strap 78 which attaches the bottom end of the bag 70 to the strap 54, all of which are attached to the lower rung 30 and retained thereby by means of a fastener 80 which joins the straps 76, 78 and 54.

The bag 70 is fabricated from a flexible fabric material in a desired embodiment. The bag 70 includes an outside panel 84 which is configured to fit against the back of an individual. The panel 84 may be cushioned. Cushioned material may also be included within the bag 70.

The flap 72 typically includes stiffening elements such as vertical stiffening elements 86 and 88 which extend from adjacent the top of the second frame 22 downwardly to the bottom of the flap 72 as illustrated for example, in FIG. 9. Auxiliary cushion material is affixed to the outer surface of the flap 72. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 9, auxiliary cushion material 90 and 92 is incorporated within or on the flap 72. This enables the flap 72 to be cushioned as it fits against the shoulders of the individual as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14.

A transverse or generally horizontal reinforcing member 94 is also included within or as part of the flap 72. Connection loops 96 and 98 attach the flap 72 near the upper end thereof to the lateral side frame members of the frame 22. Thus, the lumbar support bag 70 as well as the flap 72 are arrayed or positioned in combination with the frames 20 and 22 in a manner which facilitates the positioning of the bag 70 to provide a lumbar support. This comfort and positioning is facilitated further by the cushioning material 90 and 92, such as depicted in FIG. 9.

With the construction as depicted, the seat may be maintained in the seat configuration by releasing a holding strap 100 which may be fastened, as depicted for example in FIG. 1 to hold the seat and backpack configuration in the backpack configuration. When in this configuration, the seat may be transported by carrying it with by means of the handles 102 attached to the top rungs of frame members or alternatively, by utilizing the backpack straps 74 and 76 for example, as depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14. Release of the strap 100 enables opening of the seat to the position for example, as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 whereupon a person may be seated upon the seat panel 30 and have access to the interior of the bag enclosure 70. Thus, the construction is convertible between the version depicted at FIG. 1 and the version or configuration depicted in FIG. 4. The manner in which the various straps are attached to the frame members and wherein the bag enclosure 70 and its flap construction is sized, shaped and cushioned, provides for a means to permit lumbar support of the construction depicted.

While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of an embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A combination folding seat and backpack comprising, in combination: first and second generally rectangular frames, each frame having a bottom rung, a top rung and first and second spaced lateral side rungs, said first and second lateral side rungs of each frame pivotally connected intermediate the top and bottom rungs and foldable between a substantially overlapping, generally parallel configuration and a generally non-parallel, crossing configuration, said respective top rungs connected by a flexible seat; a first bag enclosure supported connected between the top rung of the first frame and bottom rung of the second frame; first and second shoulder straps connected between the top rung of said first frame and the bottom rung of the second frame and extending over the first bag enclosure, said first bag enclosure configured to provide lumbar support when said frames are in the generally parallel configuration and said seat is supported by the shoulder straps as a backpack.
 2. The combination of claim 1 further including a second bag supported by the top rung of the second frame.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first bag is comprised of an elongate flap connected to the top rung of first end and a bag enclosure at the opposite end, said opposite end further connected to the bottom rung of the second frame.
 4. The combination of claim 3 further including attachment members attaching the lateral sides of the flap to the first and second lateral sides respectively of the first frame.
 5. The combination of claim 4 further including at least one stiffening member in said flap.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said strap further includes cushion material adjacent the top rung of the first frame.
 7. The combination of claim 1 further including at least one carry handle attached to a top rung of a frame.
 8. The combination of claim 1 further including stiffening elements for said flap extending in at least partially between the top and bottom rungs of the first frame.
 9. The combination of claim 1 further including at least one flexible strap connected between the bottom rungs of the first and second frames.
 10. The combination of claim 2 further including at least one flexible strap connected between the bottom rungs of the first and second frames. 